AT&T will stop offering its 1,000 text message package on August 21st and will instead only offer customers a $20 individual unlimited option and a $30 family unlimited plan, Engadget reported on Wednesday. The carrier’s official statement, provided to BGR via email, is as follows:
Starting August 21, we’re streamlining our text messaging plans for new customers and will offer an unlimited plan for individuals for $20 per month and an unlimited plan for families of up to five lines for $30 per month. The vast majority of our messaging customers prefer unlimited plans and with text messaging growth stronger than ever, that number continues to climb among new customers. Existing customers don’t have to change any messaging plan they have today, even when changing handsets.
Customers will still have the option to pay by individual messages at a rate of $0.20 per SMS and $0.30 per MMS, and AT&T has confirmed to BGR that subscribers who wish to ensure they to not incur a la carte messaging fees can call customer care and have messaging blocked on their account. This feature is free, and messaging can be enabled again at any time.
